NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION

OTAGO-SOUTHLAND AUXILIARY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otago-South-land Auxiliary of the New Zealand Baptist Union was held in the Mornington Baptist Church on Thursday, Mr R. H. Todd presiding over a large attendance of delegates. Proceedings opened with a devotional service conducted by Pastor Wilson (Invercargill), after which the roll was called. The individual church reports showed that on the whole the year had been a good one, but the loss of ministers and workers had been -heavy. The starting of a new cause at Sunshine was mentioned in the annual report. At the last annual meeting (stated the report) the newly-elected executive was instructed to give further consideration to the question of starting a new Clause at Sunshine, and if it was found possible to secure a site. The executive wasted no time in this-matter, anu was able to purchase a piece of land on the main road and at the junction of two other roads. The site was practically ideal, but, unfortunately, the lack of funds prevented the erection of a school. The section cost £220, and of this amount £SO had been paid, the balance bc'ng secured by mortgage. Of the deposit money, £25 came from the contingent fund, and the remainder was contributed by the members of the executive a few interested friends. It was cause for very deep regret that greater support had not been forthcoming from some of the churches, as the time was certainly ripe for something in the way of forward work. The younger people had indeed set a good example, the Young Me’s and Women’s Bible Class Unions having each pledged themselves to raise funds during the present year. The executive was determined to see this thing through, though it had been somewhat discouraged by lack of support from quarters where it might reasonably have ecpucted help would be forthcoming. The section had been vested in the union, Messrs Todd, BeckK.„sale, Bardsley, Darracott, and Wright actinr as guarantors. The report stated, inter alia, that at the last annual meeting Mr Bardsley presented a cup to perpetuate the memory of the Rev. A. North. A sub committee had been set up to consider the disposal of the cup. and had recommended that it be awarded to the Sunday school gaining the largest increase in membership, coupled with the best average attendance. This was approved.. The first award will be made m August. The financial statement showed that the receipts for. the past year had been £270 13s 4d, as against an expenditure of £275 6s 4d, leaving a credit balance of II 7s Id. The report and balance sheet were adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, the Rev. E. Evans; vice-president, Mr C. E. Beckingsale; secretary, Mr C. J. Darracott; treasurer, Mr Beckingsale; auditor, Mr D. J. Calder; committee — the Revs. A. Anstice, L. Crampton, C. Dallaston, E. Evans, R. Robertson, Messrs W. J. Bardsley, J. Bond, W. Beadle, W. Benfell, H. H. Driver, J. Freeman, G. Hislop, W. M'Queen, L. Quenell, D. Owens, M. Sharp, A. Swallow, W. S. Smith, R. H. Todd, W. Wright, and E. P. Wilkinson. The meeting expressed its hearty approval of the Bible-in-schools movement. A resolution deploring the proposed extension of military training among the youth of the country and expressing deep detestation of war as a means of settling international disputes and expressing the prayerful hope that the League of Nations might become an influential factor for disarmament and peace was carried unanimously. It was decided to instruct the incoming executive to approach the churches in the auxliary with a view to the appointment of a day for collecting auxiliary funds. The President, in his address, dealc with the various ways in which home mission extension work might be carried out He referred to the sacrificial work of the early pioneers in New Zealand in the cause of religion, and urged church members to create, by means of prayer and consecration, an atmosphere in the church which would be conducive to a forward movement. He suggested that once a year a home mission and church extension Sunday should be observed on which special reference might be made to the most important aspect, of the church’s work.

The following motions, of which notice had been given in the morning, were ried:Mr H. H. Driver moved—“ That this auxiliary views with alarm the extent to which the passion for gambling prevails in the Dominion, denounces the lotteries and raffles which have been flaunted beforo the people, deplores the close association of sport with these pernicious methods of raising funds, and earnestly protests against the readiness with which the Minister of Internal Affairs grants permits for lotteries, the legality of which is exceedingly doubtful.” Mrs Hietfc moved—“ That the auxiliary expresses its enthusiastic endorsement of the policy of the alliance for the abolition of the liquor traffic, and approves of its demand that only two issues be placed on the ballot paper, and that the interval between the licensing polls shall not be extended.” Mr C. J. Darracott moved—“ That we recommend our churches to assist their young converts by appointing older Christians to act as ‘elder brothers,’ who could advise and help their younrrer brothers in tho faith on lines similar to those adopted by the Y.M.C.A. ‘Big Brother movement’.” Votos of thanks for valuable services rendered were accorded the president (Mr R. H. Todd) the secretary, the treasurer, and the auditor. In the evening a public meeting was held, the speakers being the Rev Adam Clarke, whose subject was “Men Who Have Understanding of the Times,” the Rev. F. Sampson, on “Our Response and Our Responsibility,” and the Rev. L, A. Dav. on “What Saith Christ to the Churches?”